Across the Times
By: Nightingale
Rating: PG13

Part 29

Gin couldn't believe it. She changed her clothes and met Jack on the street where he had two horses. It was like a dream come true. Jack led her to the side of a horse and helped her into the saddle. He walked around and swung up onto his own mount. Jack had hold of her reins and led her through trail after trail but it seemed like he was moving towards some purpose.

"Where are we going" Gin asked

"You'll see" was all he'd say

Suddenly a clearing came and Gin was stunned. It took her breath away. The mountains towered above the tree line. It was made even more beautiful with the scattered clouds across the deep blue sky. Despite what most of the other parts of the city were like it was all green. Jack let go of her reins and she rode forward a few steps still in awe.

"What do you think" he asked

She turned in the saddle with a smile. Jack was lost in the image before him with her hair draped over her right shoulder.

"It's absolutely beautiful" she managed The two settled down for the picnic that he had prepared. They spent so much time laughing that they hardly ate. Jack lay on his side with his right arm propped up supporting his head. Gin was sitting on the blanket not far from him.

"Are you sure you've never been to Santa Fe before" he asked shifting to his back with his arms behind his head.

"Yes. Have you ever been to New York"

"Never."

"Interesting" she muttered

"What"

"Oh nothing."

She leaned forward to pick up an apple. As she moved she could feel his eyes on her.

Memory

She could feel his gaze on her as if he was actually touching the curves of her waist. When she turned he was leaning against the wall with his eyes narrowed assessing each movement she made.

"You're watching me" she stated a bit uncomfortable

"I like watching you. You handle everything so well. I don't know what would have happened without you here. You're so well worth the notice Gin."

End

That was the night Race was hurt and he had stayed up all night worried for his friend. Would this Jack have done the same thing? Was this the same Jack? Soon the sky began to turn a deep orange and red color. Everything below had turned black but the vibrant color of the sky.

"A Santa Fe sunset." Jack stated as he sat up next to her

"And I thought what I saw before was beautiful. This is breath taking, Jack."

"I'm glad you like it." Gin noticed that his face was very close to hers.

However it wasn't the face that concerned her but the mouth that whispered into her ear. Her breath caught as she thought back on the night at Irving Hall. She turned away from the sunset and looked into his eyes. Gin noticed them drop to her lips a motion that gave her shivers of expectation. Yet she waited as his hand gently cupped her cheek and pulled her towards him. Gin moved willingly. He leaned in only slightly but that's all that was needed for their lips to meet.

All the tension in Gin's body left as she let the kiss take her. When they broke apart the sun was almost completely gone. Gin was breathing heavy as was Jack but she had one thing he didn't. She had a tear running down her cheek. On which he brushed away gently.

"What's wrong" he asked

"Nothing" she said with a smile.

It was Jack…this was her Jack.